Week Two: Putting Down Roots

Each day at Putting Down Roots exciting discoveries are being made! During our week two, we have begun planting seedlings from our greenhouse on our ledge named "Bibo's Ledge" by our students, in honor of Max Bibo's Cafe (located next door). Our students have worked hard to prepare (till) the soil, measure the correct distance for planting the seedlings and caring for them once they were planted. Students have also planted new seedlings in the spot where they had harvested the lettuce used in our lettuce wraps!

In addition, our PDR students have tried their hands at "up-close" representational drawings inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe, have discovered how oil pastels and watercolor work "against" each other yet at the same time, when used together, create an amazing artistic effect on paper.

Another fun way our students have been learning about science through the lens of the garden is by conducting many experiments.

Here are some photos from our second week. Enjoy! Click on any photo to make it larger.

Planting new seedlings

Cucumber seedlings from our greenhouse!

Cucumber seedlings being planted

Artwork inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe

This was experiment that showed how plants absorb nutrients -
we put food coloring in water and watched to see if the celery
 would absorb the water - and it did!

Digging for worms!

Putting Down Roots 2011 has begun!

Our 2011 Putting Down Roots in Hartford organic gardening program is in full bloom! Our students, who range in age from 7 to 14, are getting their hands dirty (literally) while learning all about organic gardening. They have planted seeds, maintained the garden, created sun charts, harvested vegetables, started a compost bin and a worm farm - and it's only the first week!

In addition, students have explored radial symmetry through creating beautiful mandalas inspired by the work of Paul Heussenstamm and have drawn their own garden maps through the eyes of a bird (or an aerial view) - which will soon be transformed into sun charts as well.

Finally, students have tapped into their math and language skills to chart their garden observations, have started their journals which include daily reflections and weather charting, and have been learning team-building skills. They have also been enjoying listening to - and reading aloud - the book Seedfolks, by Paul Fleishman (in addition to other books!)

Here is a peek into our garden...more updates and photos to come! Click on any photo to make it larger.

Daily reading in the garden!

Drawing visual maps of our gardens at Charter Oak

First week...I wonder how long the tomatoes will stay green?

Preparing the ledge garden for more seedlings that are ready to go!

Learning about sun charts and in importance of planning out a garden

A beautiful mandala in the making

Our greenhouse!

One of our ledge gardens

Thank you to Joy Monroe for photographing Putting Down Roots!

Harvesting Lettuce = Lettuce Wraps!

Our Putting Down Roots in Hartford students recently enjoyed creating lettuce wraps, made with organic ingredients grown in our garden! Click on any photo to make it larger.

Our harvest is ready!

Students learn how to harvest (pick) the lettuce leaves...

...and basil!

Our fresh, organic ingredients for our wraps!

Washing and spinning the greens from our garden

Time to make the wraps!

The finished product!

Taking home the extra greens!

After our students enjoyed their YUMMY lettuce wraps, they were able to take some of the extra fresh ingredients home. When asked if they ate the lettuce they harvested at Charter Oak at home, here is what they said:

Juan: "I ate the lettuce in sandwiches, with cucumbers."

Becca: "I had the lettuce in a salad with Italian dressing and carrots."

Egyptia: "I ate the lettuce like a wrap like we made in Putting Down Roots, with carrots, bell peppers, chicken breast and bacon ranch dressing."

Shahairy: "I ate it in a salad with onions, peppers and with the chives from our garden, too."

Kayla and Nashaly: "We ate the lettuce in a salad with our family. We also used the basil and chives from our garden in the salad. We added tomatoes and Italian dressing."